For the first time since its inception in 1960, Bill’s Donuts will no longer be owned by the Elam Family. Founder and namesake Bill (and Faye) Elam started the business in 1960 in downtown Dayton. Since 1995 two of Bill and Faye’s children, Lisa Tucker and her brother Jim Elam, have owned and operated Bill’s. They moved Bill’s to the current location, Main Street Centerville, in 1997 from a location a bit farther south in town.
Since that time Bill’s has been listed on every list of Must Visit, Best of, and Top Ten Donuts you should try. They also were named #2 Donut Shop in America in 2018 by the mobile App FourSquare. The accolades are long for a place many of us consider a sacred institution.
This morning I sat down with my friend and Bill’s owner 
to celebrate this milestone and hear the story. Lisa shared with me over a cup of coffee and sour cream donut that they listed the business and building for sale a year ago. It was in July of this year that the details all lined up for a local buyer to purchase the business. Lisa told me it was time to retire and the hours were beginning to take a toll on her and her brother Jim.
to celebrate this milestone and hear the story. Lisa shared with me over a cup of coffee and sour cream donut that they listed the business and building for sale a year ago. It was in July of this year that the details all lined up for a local buyer to purchase the business. Lisa told me it was time to retire and the hours were beginning to take a toll on her and her brother Jim.So I asked: How does it feel to be leaving the family business in the hands of someone new? Bittersweet was her answer. She said she is excited about what’s next for her but sad to leave behind the team, some of which have been there decades. The business employs almost 60 people and 50 of them are full time employees. At least one team member was there before Lisa and Jim took over 28 years ago.
Lisa shared that she doesn’t foresee any changes to Bill’s. She said you don’t buy this place with plans to change things. The community likes it as it is. She reassured me that the bakers are staying, the recipes and equipment are intact and everything we love will remain including the full staff. Lisa will be spending a couple of week’s handing the business off to the new owner starting Friday the 15th.
We all know Bill’s Donuts as a longtime and faithful supporter of Dayton’s A Special Wish foundation and has been a central hub for the collection and donation of supplies to a variety of charities after disaster strikes. The new owner, a Centerville attorney, has committed to keeping public service and charitable work a focus of the business.
While our favorite Donut Purveyor is taking some time off, she still plans to be a fixture in Centerville. Looking to the future Lisa says she is most excited about being able to dedicate more time to disaster relief, A Special Wish and Hannah’s Treasure Chest. Maybe come spring time when she returns from a winter down south you may see her in line at Bill’s. I’ll be there with my regular order: one sour cream and one blueberry.
